上帝的祝福

上帝的祝福
聖經閱讀：詩篇145:1-21 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月31日(二)

今天是新年的前夕。我小的時候，在新年前夕讀經是我們家的傳統，那時候我的父母會告訴我們上帝如何祝福他們，並且幫助他們從一個共產國家逃出來。 　我的父親已經去世，而我的母親現在已經97歲了。每一個新年前夕，我的哥哥都會維持家庭的傳統，他和他的家人會讀經，而我的母親會再講那個她已經講過好多次的相同故事，她希望所有的孫子都知道這個故事並且愛上帝。 　我們的家庭傳統讓我想起今天經文的第4節：「世世代代都要宣揚你的作為；他們都要傳佈你大能的事蹟。」我很高興父母親告訴我們上帝如何祝福他們，現在我才可以將這個故事傳講給未來的世代。 　今天就用一些時間想一想上帝賜給你的各樣祝福，然後去告訴別人上帝是怎麼照顧你的。 —AS 「人要講論你的大能；我要宣揚你的偉大。他們要述說你的良善，歌頌你的公義。」 詩篇145:6-7 禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜給我各樣的祝福。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

God’s Blessings
Bible Reading: Psalm 145:1-21
Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Today is New Year’s Eve. When I was growing up, it was my family’s tradition to read Bible verses on New Year’s Eve. Then my parents would tell us how God blessed them and helped them escape a Communist country. 　My father has passed away, but my mother is now 97 years old. Each New Year’s Eve my brother keeps our family tradition. He and his family read Bible verses, and my mother tells the same story she has told many times before. She wants all her grandchildren to know and love God. 　Our family tradition reminds me of verse 4 of today’s Bible Reading. “Each generation will praise you and tell the next generation about the great things you do.” I am happy that my parents told us how God blessed them. Now I can pass that on to future generations. 　Take time today to think about the many ways God has blessed you. Then tell someone else about how God takes care of you. —AS “People will tell about the amazing things you do, and I will tell everyone how great you are. They will talk about your goodness and sing about your justice.” Psalm 145:6-7 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

一個新的開始

一個新的開始
聖經閱讀：哥林多後書5:11-21 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月30日(一)

再過兩天就是2014年了，對新的一年，你有什麼計劃嗎？也許你正計劃買新衣服，或許你會交到新朋友，或者到從來沒去過的地方旅行。 　新年是作為一個全新開始的好時機，如果你還沒有信主，一個全新的開始可能意味著你決定要跟隨耶穌。今天的經文談到跟隨耶穌，第17節說：「無論誰，一旦有了基督的生命就是新造的人；舊的已經過去，新的已經來臨。」也許2014年就是你願意將生命獻給耶穌的一年。 　如果你已經信主，今天是你思考2013年的好時機。想一想在這一年你所做的錯事，求上帝赦免你，並幫助你在2014年改善。 　就讓2014年成為你天天愛上帝、天天服事祂的一年！ —IMJ 「他為眾人死，為要使那些活著的人不再為自己活，而是為那位替他們死而復活的基督活。」 哥林多後書5:15 禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢賜下新的一年來服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

A New Start
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Monday, December 30, 2013

In two days, it will be 2014. What plans do you have for the new year? Maybe you are planning on buying new clothes. Or maybe you will make new friends or travel to new places. 　The new year is a good time for a new start. If you are not a Christian, a new start may mean that you decide to follow Jesus. Our Bible Reading talks about following Jesus. Verse 17 says, “When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” Maybe 2014 is the year when you will give your life to Jesus. 　If you are already a Christian, today is a good time for you to think about 2013. Think about things you did wrong this year. Ask God to forgive you and help you improve in 2014. 　Make 2014 a year when you will love God and serve Him every day! —IMJ “He [Jesus] died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for a new year to serve You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

根基

根基
聖經閱讀：提摩太後書2:14-26 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月29日(日)

最近，我先生蓋了一間小木屋，並且用塑膠牆板來覆蓋外牆。當從地基往上安裝第一塊牆板時，他非常的小心，要確定第一塊是完全的水平。為什麼呢？因為如果第一塊是歪斜的，那麼其餘的牆板也都會是歪斜的。 　我們的生命也如同這樣。我們必須小心，應該讓上帝成為我們生命的根基，當我們跟從並順服上帝時，祂就會祝福我們。首先，當我們在世間生活的時候，祂會祝福我們。我們的生活也許不會一直都很美好，但是上帝會照顧我們，並且祂會告訴我們如何生活。接著，當死去的時候，我們將會跟上帝共享永生。這些都是美好的祝福！ 　今天的經文中，保羅列舉了幾種可以讓上帝成為我們生命根基的方法：我們可以向人分享耶穌的福音、讓自己成為會被上帝接納的人，並且遠離邪惡的人。我希望今天你會讓上帝成為你生命的根基。 —JK 「上帝所建立那鞏固的根基是不動搖的；在這基石上面刻著：『主認得屬他的人』」 提摩太後書2:19a 禱告：天父，謝謝祢祝福我，我願以祢為根基來建造生命。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Foundation
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Sunday, December 29, 2013

Recently my husband built a new shed and covered the outside with vinyl siding. When he placed the first strip of siding along the foundation he was very careful. He made sure the first piece was perfectly level. Why? Because if that first piece was crooked, the rest of the siding would be crooked, too. 　That’s how it is in our lives. We need to be careful to make God the foundation of our lives. When we follow and obey God, He blesses us. First, God blesses us while we live on earth. Our lives may not be all good times, but God takes care of us and shows us how to live. Second, when we die, we will spend eternity with God. Those are wonderful blessings! 　In our Bible Reading, Paul lists several ways we can make God the foundation of our lives. We can share the Good News about Jesus with other people, be the kind of person God will accept and stay away from evil people. I hope you will make God the foundation of your life today! —JK “But God’s strong foundation never moves, and these words are written on it: ‘The Lord knows those who belong to him.’” 2 Timothy 2:19a PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me. I want to build my life on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

屬靈的福氣

屬靈的福氣
聖經閱讀：以弗所書1:3-14 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月28日(六)

上帝每天都賜下祝福給我們──家人、朋友、食物、健康，以及居住的地方。但是身為基督徒，上帝賜給我們某些非常特別的屬靈福氣。 　今天的經文中，保羅提醒以弗所的基督徒關於上帝賜給他們的屬靈福氣。以下是他列舉的一些祝福：1)上帝揀選了他們成為祂的聖潔子民(第4節)；2)上帝使他們成為祂的兒女(第5節)；3)上帝賜給他們恩典(第6節)；4)上帝赦免了他們的罪(第7節)；以及5)上帝賜給他們聖靈的禮物(第13節)。 　這真是一張奇妙的祝福清單！而最棒的是，所有基督徒都可以擁有這些來自上帝的祝福。如果你是基督徒，那麼你也可以擁有這些祝福！ 　今天就因著上帝藉由祂的兒子耶穌賜給你的各種祝福而謝謝祂。 —ECW 「聖靈保證我們要承受上帝的應許，把完全的自由賜給屬他的人。我們要頌讚他的榮耀！」 以弗所書1:14 禱告：親愛的上帝，祢是如此奇妙！謝謝祢賜下各樣的祝福。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Spiritual Blessings
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Saturday, December 28, 2013

God gives us blessings every day — family, friends, food, good health and a place to live. But as Christians, God gives us some very special spiritual blessings. 　In our Bible Reading today, Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus about the spiritual blessings that God had given to them. Here are some of the blessings that he lists: 1) God chose them to be His holy people (verse 4); 2) God made them His children (verse 5); 3) God gave them His grace (verse 6); 4) God forgave their sins (verse 7); and 5) God gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 13). 　That is a list of wonderful blessings! And the best thing is that all Christians have those blessings from God. If you are a Christian, then you have those blessings, too! 　Thank God today for the blessings He has given to you through His Son, Jesus. —ECW “The Spirit is the first payment that guarantees we will get all that God has for us. Then we will enjoy complete freedom as people who belong to him. The goal for all of us is the praise of God in all his glory.” Ephesians 1:14 PRAYER: Dear God, You are so wonderful! Thank You for Your blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

愛上帝

愛上帝
聖經閱讀：啟示錄2:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月27日(五)

起初我們剛認識上帝的時候，那種感覺就好像我們愛上了祂。我們相信在聖經裡所讀到、關於耶穌的事情，然後我們開始信靠上帝。最後，我們遵守上帝的命令，並且將我們的生命委身在服事裡獻給祂。 　今天的經文告訴我們在以弗所教會發生的事情。在第1和第2節，耶穌列出了那些人所做的一些好事：辛勤工作、有耐心、不容忍壞人，並且從不退縮。 　但是，有時候人們會不再愛上帝，這就是以弗所基督徒所發生的事情：「但是，有一件事我要責備你：就是你已經失去了當初對我的愛心。」也許他們表面上遵從上帝卻沒有真心愛祂。 　上帝希望我們遵從祂並且愛祂，我們必須全心、全情、全意、全力來愛祂。請務必確定你跟上帝的關係是堅固而且充滿了愛。—DVH* 「耶穌說：『你要全心、全情、全意愛主─你的上帝。這是第一條最重要的誡命。』」 馬太福音22:37-38 禱告：天父，我將生命獻給祢，並且保證竭盡所能來愛祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Loving God
Bible Reading: Revelation 2:1-7
Friday, December 27, 2013

When we first learned about God, it was like we fell in love with Him. We believed what we read about Jesus in the Bible, and then we started to trust God. Finally, we obeyed God’s commands and gave our lives in service to Him. 　Our Bible verses today tell us about the church in the city of Ephesus. In verses 1 and 2, Jesus lists some good things these people did: worked hard, never gave up, didn’t accept evil people and never stopped trying. 　But sometimes people fall out of love with God. That’s what happened to the Ephesian Christians. “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning” (verse 4). Maybe they were obeying God without really loving Him. 　God wants our obedience and our love. We need to love Him with our heart, mind, soul and strength. Be sure that your relationship with God is strong and loving. —DVH* “Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command.’” Matthew 22:37-38 PRAYER: Father, I give You my life and promise to love You with all that I have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

敬拜與服事

敬拜與服事
聖經閱讀：約翰福音4:19-24 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月26日(四)

在今天的經文中，耶穌跟一個撒馬利亞女人說話。那個女人說，撒馬利亞人在山上敬拜上帝，而猶太人則是在耶路撒冷敬拜上帝。 　耶穌告訴那個女人：「時刻將到，人不再在這山上或在耶路撒冷敬拜天父。可是時刻將到，現在就是了，那真正敬拜天父的，要用心靈和真誠敬拜」(第21b和第23a節)。今天，我們不一定要在教堂中敬拜上帝，我們可以在任何時間、任何地方敬拜祂。 　敬拜上帝的方式之一就是去服事人。我努力學像耶穌、天天幫助別人，當我讓人看見上帝的愛時，我感到好極了。 　你可以藉著服事家人、服事朋友、甚至服事所遇見的陌生人來敬拜上帝。今天，就找方法服事他們。—DB* 「在父上帝眼中，那純潔沒有缺點的虔誠便是：照顧苦難中的孤兒寡婦和保守自己不受世界的腐化。」 雅各書1:27 禱告：親愛的天父，我願天天敬拜祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Worship and Service
Bible Reading: John 4:19-24
Thursday, December 26, 2013

In our Bible Reading today, Jesus was talking to a woman in Samaria. The woman said that the Samaritans worshiped God on a mountain and the Jews worshiped God in Jerusalem. 　Jesus told the woman, “The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on this mountain to worship the Father. But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (verses 21b and 23a). Today we don’t have to be in a church building to worship God. We can worship Him any place and any time. 　One way we can worship God is to serve people. I try to be like Jesus and help other people every day. I feel good when I am showing God’s love to others. 　You can worship God by serving your family, your friends and even strangers that you meet. Look for ways to serve them today. —DB* “The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence. This is the kind of worship that God accepts as pure and good.” James 1:27 PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to worship You every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

給上帝的禮物 (5)

送給上帝的禮物 (5)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音22:34-40 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月25日(三)

今天我們要來談最後一個，也是最重要的一個，可以送給上帝的禮物。你可在聖誕節或是一年當中的任何一天將這個禮物送給上帝。這個重要禮物就是你的愛。 　我還記得我的孩子小時候送給我的一些禮物──一顆從我們最愛去的湖邊撿來的石頭、一幅親手畫的全家福、一張他們在爬山路上撿回來的東西所作的拼貼。用世界的眼光來看，這些禮物都沒什麼價值，但對我來說，它們卻是無價之寶。為什麼呢？因為我知道我的孩子不只是送一份禮物給我──他們是在將他們愛送給我。 　在今天的經文中，耶穌告訴我們那最重要的誡命：「你要全心、全情、全意愛主─你的上帝。這是第一條最重要的誡命」(第37-38節)。我們要如何才能這樣子愛上帝呢？藉著將生命專注在做討主喜悅的事上，我們就可以辦得到。 　也許今天你會送禮物給家人和朋友，但不要忘記耶穌，要將你的愛當作禮物送給祂！ －JK 「我們愛，因為上帝先愛了我們。」 約翰一書4:19 禱告：親愛的天父，我將我所有的愛都獻給祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Gifts for God (5)
Bible Reading: Matthew 22:34-40
Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Today we will talk about the last — and most important — gift that we can give God. You can give this gift to God on Christmas Day or any day of the year. This important gift is your love. 　I remember some of the gifts my children gave me when they were young — a rock from the shore of our favorite lake, a hand-painted picture of our family, a collage of things they picked up on their mountain hike. These gifts were not valuable according to the world. But to me, they were priceless. Why? Because I knew that my children were not just giving me a gift — they were giving me their love. 　In our Bible Reading, Jesus tells us about the most important command. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and most important command” (verse 37-38). How can we love God this way? We can do this by focusing our lives on doing things that please Him. 　Maybe you are giving gifts today to your family and friends. Don’t forget about God. Give Him the gift of your love! —JK “We love because God first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I give You all my love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

送給上帝的禮物 (4)

送給上帝的禮物 (4)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音25:31-46 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月24日(二)

另一個可以送給上帝的禮物是我們的服事。但是，我們要怎麼服事祂呢？今天的經文中，耶穌告訴祂的門徒可以怎樣服事上帝。 　在這些經節裡，耶穌談到當祂再來時的情形。祂會將人們分成兩群──敬虔的人(綿羊)與不敬虔的人(山羊)。敬虔的人會得到獎賞，但不敬虔的人將會「受永遠的刑罰」(第46節)。 　耶穌繼續說，敬虔的人就是那些服事別人的人，他們藉著給人吃、喝或送衣服給人穿來服事別人，或是當別人生病或坐牢時去探望他們。耶穌說，不敬虔的人就是那些不服事別人的人。 　今天是聖誕節的前夕，是一個找機會服事別人的好日子。就去跟某一個孤單的人一起吃飯、將衣服或毛毯送給需要的人，或是去告訴某人聖誕節的真正意義。不要忘記，當你服事別人時，就是在服事上帝。 －JK 「王要回答：『我鄭重地告訴你們，既然你們為我的跟從者中最微小的一人做，就是為我做！』」 馬太福音 25:40 禱告：親愛的天父，今天我願藉著服事別人來服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Gifts for God (4)
Bible Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Another gift we can give God is our service. But how can we serve Him? In our Bible verses today, Jesus told His followers how they could serve God. 　In these verses Jesus talked about when He will return to earth. He will divide people into two groups — godly people (sheep) and ungodly people (goats). The godly people will receive a reward. But the ungodly people will be “punished forever” (verse 46). 　Jesus went on to say that the godly people were those who serve other people by giving them food, drink or clothing, or visiting them when they are sick or in prison. Jesus said that the ungodly people were those who do not serve others. 　Today is Christmas Eve. This is a great day to look for opportunities to serve other people. Share a meal with someone who is alone. Give some clothing or blankets to needy people. Tell someone about the true meaning of Christmas. And don’t forget that when you serve others, you are serving God. —JK “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 PRAYER: Dear Father, I will serve You today by serving others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

送給上帝的禮物 (3)

送給上帝的禮物 (3)
聖經閱讀：約翰一書2:1-6 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月23日(一)

今天我想要談另一個可以送給上帝的禮物──順服。有時候，我們會不想要遵從上帝，而想要用自己的方式來做事，但上帝大有智慧，而且祂知道什麼是對我們最好的，所以我們應該遵守祂的命令。 　今天的經文告訴我們，當我們遵從上帝的時候，會發生兩件事情。首先，「如果我們遵守上帝的命令，我們就知道我們認識他」(第3節)，而第4節接著說：「若有人說『我認識他』，卻不遵守他的命令，這樣的人是撒謊的，真理跟他沒有關係。」你是真的想要認識上帝嗎？那就遵守祂的命令吧！ 　其次，當我們遵從上帝時，我們「對上帝的愛就達到完全」(第5a節)。如果我們遵守上帝的命令，那麼上帝的愛就會在我們的生命中作工。當上帝的愛在我們的生命中作工時，我們就會去跟別人分享耶穌的福音，而這些人就會在我們的生命中看見上帝的愛。 　遵從上帝從來就不是一件容易的事情。有時候我們會失敗，但藉著耶穌，我們得著赦免。今天，就將你的「順服」當作禮物送給上帝！ －JK 「要順服上帝，不可讓私慾支配你們，像從前你們愚昧無知的時候那樣。」 彼得前書1:14 禱告：親愛的上帝，今天我就遵從祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Gifts for God (3)
Bible Reading: 1 John 2:1-6
Monday, December 23, 2013

Today I want to talk about another gift we can give God — our obedience. Sometimes we don’t like to think about obeying God. We want to do things our own way. But God is wise and always knows what is best for us. So we should obey His commands. 　Our Bible Reading today tells us two things that happen when we obey God. First, if “we obey what God has told us to do, then we are sure that we know him” (verse 3). Verse 4 continues to say that if “we say we know God but do not obey his commands, we are lying.” Do you truly want to know God? Then obey His commands. 　Second, when we obey God “his love is truly working in us” (verse 5a). If we follow God’s commands, then God’s love will be working in our lives. When God’s love is at work in our lives, we will share the Good News about Jesus with other people. And those people will see God’s love in our lives. 　It’s not always easy to obey God. Sometimes we fail. But through Jesus we have forgiveness. Give God the gift of your obedience today! —JK “But now you are children of God, so you should obey him and not live the way you did before.” 1 Peter 1:14b PRAYER: Dear God, I will obey You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

送給上帝的禮物 (2)

送給上帝的禮物 (2)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書6:5-9 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年12月22日(日)

上帝已經賜給我們每一個人一天24小時的禮物，我們中間有些人或許能活到90歲，或許我們只能活到35歲，但是每個人每一天都有24小時的生命可以為主擺上。 　上帝希望我們將我們的時間當作禮物送給祂。如果上帝是我們生命中的首位，我們就必須確定將時間奉獻給祂。首先，我們可以藉著每天的讀經和禱告將時間獻給上帝。讀經是上帝對我們說話的方式，而我們透過禱告跟祂溝通。 　其次，我們可以藉著從早到晚為祂做的每一件事將時間奉獻給祂。今天經文的第7節說：「你們要甘心樂意地盡奴僕的本份，像是在服事主，不是服事人。」當工作的時候，我們可以記住，我們其實是為上帝工作；當為家人做事的時候，我們也可以記住，我們是為上帝在做這些事情。 　今天你有24小時，你會送給上帝什麼禮物呢？－JK 「主都要照各人的好行為報答他。」 以弗所書6:8a 禱告：上帝，今天我將我的時間獻給祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Gifts for God (2)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:5-9
Sunday, December 22, 2013

God has given each of us the gift of 24 hours in every day. Some of us may live for 90 years, or we may only live for 35 years. But every person has 24 hours each day of their life to use for God. 　God wants us to give Him the gift of our time. If God is most important in our lives, we need to make sure we give Him our time. First, we can give God our time by reading the Bible and praying every day. Reading the Bible is how God speaks to us. And through prayer, we communicate with Him. 　Second, we can give God our time by doing everything throughout our day for Him. Verse 7 of our Bible Reading says, “Do your work, and be happy doing it. Work as though it is the Lord you are serving, not just an earthly master.” When we are working at our jobs, we can remember that we are really working for God. When we are doing things for our family, we can remember that we are doing those things for God, too. 　You have 24 hours today. What gift will you give God? —JK “Remember that the Lord will give everyone a reward for doing good.” Ephesians 6:8a PRAYER: God, I give You my time today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.